Sheiling Ringwood’s tranquil new garden funded by donations from Talbot Village Trust and Wooden Spoon

A SENSORY garden to enhance outdoor facilities for students with special educational needs has opened at The Sheiling Ringwood thanks to donations from Talbot Village Trust and co-funders Wooden Spoon.

The school and college at The Sheiling are set in a 45-acre sustainable and eco-friendly site and provide specialist education to students, aged six to 25, who have learning disabilities and complex needs.

The sensory garden offers a tranquil haven for students and features raised planters with carefully selected shrubs, flowers and herbs, touching sculptures and water features, as well as musical wind chimes and a walkway comprising different textures and glass art which was created by Boris Moscoff, a former staff member and long-term friend of the Sheiling Ringwood.

It will provide a peaceful environment while stimulating and engaging the senses of sound, touch, taste, smell and sight. Staff will also incorporate mentoring on gardening skills.

Principal Corine van Barneveld said: “Our dream was to create a space in a natural environment where students and staff can come for periods of time in between lessons or activities and find a moment to be still.”

She added: “Our goal to support our young people aligned closely with that of Talbot Village Trust’s mission to support and improve the lives of communities in east Dorset. We are hugely grateful to the trust for recognising the potential in our students and, by giving so generously, enabling our learners to progress.”

The trust donates up to £1m every year to youth organisations, education groups and community-focused projects.